Responsible Gambling
Gambling is meant to be entertaining. When it stops feeling that way — or when it starts affecting your finances, relationships or wellbeing — it is important to know where to turn and what options are available to you. This page outlines the tools and organisations that can help, and explains how to use them.
Know the Warning Signs
Problems with gambling can develop gradually. The following are common indicators that play may be moving beyond healthy limits:
- Spending more than you can afford to lose
- Chasing losses with larger or more frequent bets
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety or low mood
- Hiding gambling activity from family or friends
- Neglecting work, household responsibilities or relationships
- Borrowing money or selling belongings to fund gambling
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down
Recognising one or more of these in yourself — or in someone close to you — is a reasonable reason to seek support, not a sign of weakness.
Free Support Organisations in the UK
Several independent organisations offer confidential help at no cost to the individual:
| Organisation | What they offer | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | Free counselling, forum and helpline for gamblers and affected family members | 0808 8020 133 (24/7) |
| Gamblers Anonymous UK | Peer support meetings based on a 12-step programme | 0330 094 0322 |
| BeGambleAware | Online self-assessment tools, live chat and referrals to treatment | begambleaware.org |
| Gordon Moody | Residential treatment and online therapy for severe gambling disorders | gordonmoody.org.uk |
| National Gambling Helpline | Operated by GamCare — advice, information and signposting | 0808 8020 133 |
Practical Tools to Stay in Control
Most reputable gambling sites — including those you may find listed on our casino comparison page — offer built-in controls. Before you deposit anywhere, check that the site provides:
- Deposit limits — daily, weekly or monthly caps on how much you can add to your account
- Loss limits — a ceiling on how much you can lose in a given period
- Session time limits — automatic logout after a set amount of play time
- Reality checks — on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing
- Cool-off periods — a short break of 24 hours to several weeks without closing your account
- Self-exclusion — a longer break, typically six months to five years, during which you cannot access the site
Self-Exclusion Options
GAMSTOP is the UK's free national self-exclusion scheme. Registering at gamstop.co.uk applies a single exclusion across all online gambling operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Once registered, the exclusion cannot be reversed before the minimum period (six months) has elapsed.
Casinos operating outside UK licensing — sometimes called non-GAMSTOP casinos — are not connected to that scheme. If you wish to self-exclude from one of those sites, you must contact the casino's support team directly and request exclusion through their own internal process. Reputable operators will action this promptly and should maintain the exclusion for the period you request. If you need help with this, organisations such as GamCare can advise you on the steps to take.
For any other queries about this site, visit our contact page or review our terms and conditions.
Gambling Safely as a Habit
Responsible gambling is not only about crisis management. Setting a budget before you play, treating losses as the cost of entertainment rather than a problem to recover, and taking regular breaks are habits that help keep gambling enjoyable over the long term. Only play with money you have set aside for leisure — never with rent, bill payments or savings.
18+ only. If you are under 18, do not use gambling websites. Free parental control tools such as Gamban and Betfilter can block gambling content across devices.